Indeed, and looking at the current squad I can't imagine they're anywhere near, and wouldn't be surprised if it came about they've been well off the cap for a good few years. Especially when compared to the squads who are spending the full cap.

Instead of the BBC sports being in London and treating the game with indifference, Salford are within a stones throw. They can hob nob with the BBC sports people, give them free tickets to the ground, peak their interest every time they go across Barton Bridge and see the stadium and link it with Dr Koukash's latest publicity initiative re Salford and by default, Rugby league. Further on there is a WC game at Salford this autumn and others in nearby Lancashire towns. The proximity to the BBC at Salford shopuld be an advantage the game and Salford need to exploit..

So the sports hacks at the Salford studios receive a freebie VIP invitation to go watch one of RL's biggest SL losers before sparse crowds, and they will somehow jump at it, get down to Barton, and go back to the studio and big the club up.

Dream on.

For the sake of twenty minutes why shouldn't they go hob knob with Mr. Lenegan, Mr. McManus or Mr. Moran. After all there's top class players, top crowds and top RL on show. If I was a BBC sports hack I'd look at my various free VIP passes from the local clubs and put Salford's straight in the bin.

Then It'd be hard to choose from the others but I think I'd take Mr. Moran's as I may get me and the wife a couple of big concert tickets for free as well.

I may be wrong and Salford may actually be the most important rugby league club in the Cosmos. I will leave Professor Brian Cox to ajudicate on that.

So the sports hacks at the Salford studios receive a freebie VIP invitation to go watch one of RL's biggest SL losers before sparse crowds, and they will somehow jump at it, get down to Barton, and go back to the studio and big the club up.

Dream on.

For the sake of twenty minutes why shouldn't they go hob knob with Mr. Lenegan, Mr. McManus or Mr. Moran. After all there's top class players, top crowds and top RL on show. If I was a BBC sports hack I'd look at my various free VIP passes from the local clubs and put Salford's straight in the bin.

Then It'd be hard to choose from the others but I think I'd take Mr. Moran's as I may get me and the wife a couple of big concert tickets for free as well.

I may be wrong and Salford may actually be the most important rugby league club in the Cosmos. I will leave Professor Brian Cox to ajudicate on that.

You are one negative person. Previous to the BBC sport moving to Salford, the alternative was to get them to the Stoop and jump board with RL from watching Bronos lose to Widnes.

How important Salford become will depend on the new management but it looks to be more ambitious than the Bradford re incarnation so far.

Moon did the worst thing by claiming to be homesick then signing for Leeds, this was also before the financial problems.

Holdsworth isn't good or consistent enough to take back.

on other issuesThe tram takes 30/40 mins depending on time of day. The 67 bus goes to the stadium.

I assume you wouldn't want Myler because Sneyd and Fages look promising in the halfs. Agree regards Ratchford. Absolutely agree re Holdsworth and as for Moon, if he thinks he got some stick at Leeds the other week, he ain't heard nothing yet!

Love the Doctor getting us attention and ruffling feathers. Should be interesting how the new guys go tonight.

Though it led to several months of uncertainty and worry, the decision by Salford council not to fund the club now looks to be the best thing that has happened to the Reds in years. It has led to an enthusiastic and successful businessman becoming involved and it is great to see stories about who might come to the club rather than being who is the next player to leave.

Koukash has just "promised" Salford supporters that performances like tonight (London at home) won't happen again. I'm not sure I can believe anything he says if he feels can promise something like that.

So the sports hacks at the Salford studios receive a freebie VIP invitation to go watch one of RL's biggest SL losers before sparse crowds, and they will somehow jump at it, get down to Barton, and go back to the studio and big the club up.

Dream on.

I was more thinking that they might drive past the stadium on the way to work every day (and hopefully think of Salford rather than Sale), that their kids might meet some players at a training session at school and want to see a match, that they might meet someone in the office who watches Salford and talks about RL as if it's just a regular sport rather than a wierd Northern tradition on a par with cheese rolling and bog snorkelling.

In Marwan Koukash you are dealing with a chap who makes success his business, rest assured he will take Salford to the highest of heights, make some huge signings and is probably the only person in SL capable of putting a deal together to entice a coach like Tim Sheens to the UK, if that happens you can expect to see signings at Salford that even the biggest clubs in SL could only dream of.

The good Doctor has a medicine cabinet that can cure any ailment SL might bestow upon a club .................its called a wealth of business experience and a ridiculously fat wallet.

but not jamie soward hes bobbns...im thinking anthony minnichello,braith anasta etc....experienced and can still play...and would compliment the british talent.

Anasta is a shout, maybe Sandow would be a cracking little player with experience. Get 5 or 6 decent players in who will perform week in week out and then a marquee to get the crowds in. That's all he can do at this stage.

I was more thinking that they might drive past the stadium on the way to work every day (and hopefully think of Salford rather than Sale), that their kids might meet some players at a training session at school and want to see a match, that they might meet someone in the office who watches Salford and talks about RL as if it's just a regular sport rather than a wierd Northern tradition on a par with cheese rolling and bog snorkelling.

That kind of stuff.

Seriously Parky, you're normally much sharper than this.

Sorry Steve, I may be being thick here, but again how does the fact that Barton is close to BBC Sport in Salford make Salford the most important club in RL?

I am happy to wait until Mr. Sadlers article on Monday that will explain this in full.

Over the weekend I'll maintain my position that Leeds, Wigan, Hull, Broncos and Catalans are Superleagues most important clubs.

Koukash has started off very well with putting a fantastic administration in place. He has since moved onto the playing staff, whilst seemingly bypassing the single, most influential department; coaching.

LordCharles; Dr Koukash is not unique in the game by having wealth and business acumen, it is simply a case of his peers keeping a much lower profile.